Brake pad retention spring, in particular for spot-type disc brakes for automotive vehicles

Abstract

A brake pad retention spring for spot-type disc brakes for automotive vehicles is disclosed including a fastening section for securing the spring to a brake pad backing plate and spring arms for engagement into a brake member, wherein two of the spring arms extend substantially in the circumferential direction in relation to the brake disc and a third spring arm extends substantially in the radial direction. The spring arms extending in the circumferential direction include U-shaped or V-shaped bent sections.

We claim: 
     
       1. A brake pad retention spring for a spot-type disc brake for automotive vehicles, said disc brake including a brake piston acting upon a pad backing plate, said spring comprising a fastening section for securing said spring to said pad backing plate, a plurality of spring arms for engagement into a brake member, wherein two of said spring arms extend substantially in a circumferential direction in relation to a brake disc and a third of said spring arms extends substantially in a radial direction in relation to said brake disc, said two spring arms each having a nose protruding from the end of a circumferentially extending end section of each of the spring arms of the spring arms, said noses each extending into an annular groove means extending circumferentially along an inner surface of said brake piston, each of said two spring arms extending in the circumferential direction include a generally U-shaped bent section, wherein said arms are each arranged at the pad backing plate such that a free end of the end section abuts on said brake piston above a center line of said piston. 
     
     
       2. A retention spring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring arm extending substantially in the radial direction has an end section extending in the radial direction, including a nose said end section protruding in an axial direction. 
     
     
       3. A retention spring as claimed in claim 1 wherein said noses protrude in an axial direction. 
     
     
       4. A retention spring as claimed in claim 2 wherein said nose on said end section bears with a bearing surface against an inner wall of said brake piston. 
     
     
       5. A retention spring as claimed in claim 3 wherein said noses extending into said annular groove contact said annular groove above a center line of said piston to provide a force which urges said retention spring and said brake pad towards an axis of said brake disc. 
     
     
       6. A retention spring as claimed in claim 1 wherein said noses which protrude from the free ends of said circumferentially extending spring arms include an abutment surface for engaging said annular groove means, said abutment surface having a substantially rounded end. 
     
     
       7. A brake pad retention spring for a spot-type disc brake for automotive vehicles, said disc brake including a brake piston acting upon a pad backing plate, said spring comprising a fastening section for securing said spring to said pad backing plate, a plurality of spring arms for engagement into a brake member, wherein two of said spring arms extend substantially in a circumferential direction in relation to a brake disc and a third of said spring arms extends substantially in a radial direction in relation to said brake disc, said two spring arms each having a nose protruding from the end of a circumferentially extending end section of each of the spring arms of the spring arms, said noses each extending into an annular groove means extending circumferentially along an inner surface of said brake piston, each of said two spring arms extending in the circumferential direction include a generally V-shaped bent section, wherein said arms are each arranged at the pad backing plate such that a free end of the end section abuts on said brake piston above a center line of said piston.